Texas Standard

For the first time since Texas’ measles outbreak at the start of the year, there are no new reported cases. We’ll get an update on efforts to contain the disease.A new report in The Guardian reveals pressure from Immigration and Customs Enforcement leadership to ramp up arrests, even of people not originally targeted.Flag football is helping to tackle a gender gap in youth sports, getting a boost in Texas from none other than the NFL.A simmering trade dispute could make tomatoes more expensive at the grocery store.And: The week in politics with the Texas Tribune. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post Trade tensions with Mexico could drive up tomato prices appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A old law suddenly no more: a judge strikes down in-state tuition for undocumented students in Texas.What changes can Texans expect for energy and the environment after this week’s conclusion of the 89th Texas Legislature?After the Smokehouse Creek Fire scorched over 1 million acres, lawmakers also passed a slate of wildfire preparedness bills.The devastating New World screwworm, eliminated from North America decades ago, are on their way back. The Standard’s Michael Marks talked to ranchers who remember what it was like to fight them.And: Texas sheriffs could be required to help enforce federal immigration law. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post Why ranchers are ‘absolutely terrified’ of the New World screwworm’s return appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The race to be San Antonio’s next mayor was narrowed from a field of 27 to two. What to know before the runoff election on Saturday.Arrests outside of immigration court have happened in El Paso, Dallas and San Antonio. Why activists say this tactic encourages migrants to break the law.Texas is set to become the next in a handful of states to ban lab-grown meat for human consumption.It’s Texas vs. Texas Tech in the Women’s College World Series championship, with Game 1 tonight.And: We’ll explore Lucas Schaefer’s “The Slip,” a new novel set in late ’90s Austin and propelled by a mysterious disappearance. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post Fear at immigration court as ICE arrests migrants there for a hearing appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The 89th Legislature is history. We’ll look at what lawmakers accomplished and what was left to do.We continue our series on an adult literacy program in Texarkana that does much more than help people get an education – and why it could be a model for other parts of the state.A Houston-based aerospace company successfully tests a hypersonic engine and hopes to one day fly passengers from the U.S. to Asia in just two hours.And: Popular images of gunslingers are pretty on target, according to the new book “The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild.” Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post Houston startup eyes two-hour flights across the Pacific appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Texas lawmakers have approved additional funding for public schools, including more money for teachers.Some San Antonio school districts have found a way to help struggling students catch up following the pandemic. What can we learn from those efforts?Texas ranks near the bottom when it comes to adults with a high school education. As the Standard’s Sarah Asch reports, a literacy program in Texarkana offers a solution.Despite headline-grabbing moves by companies like Tesla and Oracle, tech employment in Texas’ biggest cities is slipping.And: Global oil production is ramping up. What that means for summer travel. The post As Texas ranks near the bottom in high school attainment, a Texarkana nonprofit has a solution appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Severe storms brought flash floods, hail and widespread power outages to Central Texas, killing one and hospitalizing two. More than 10,000 are still without power. Rare earth minerals are being wasted when you toss out an old phone or TV. Research in Texas could change the disposal process. Texas Tech just won its first-ever game in the Women’s College World Series. We’ll introduce you to star pitcher NiJaree Canady, the first softball player making $1 million a season in NIL deals. Plus: How about a little music? We’ll start with the Huston-Tillotson Jazz Orchestra, a relatively new group with big plans. And a lot of Americans used to have a piano in their homes – how and why that’s changed. The post Recycling rare earth elements could power the future appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Elon Musk's departure from the Trump administration raises eyebrows about his future plans. Meanwhile, Texas pushes a new bill mandating deadlines for plugging orphaned oil wells, sparking environmental concerns. Insurers are using aerial imaging and AI to assess storm damage, drawing mixed reactions from homeowners. The state also grapples with immigration issues affecting its dairy industry, all while Mando Rayo spices things up with taco insights and cultural reflections on Texas cuisine.

The House has passed a bill mandating the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public school classrooms. If the Senate signs off, Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to make it law. A 2023 law expanded polling place requirements – but many small counties couldn’t keep up. Now a new bill that rolls back those mandates is headed to the governor. Water insecurity is a problem around Corpus Christi – and that’s before a new Tesla plant coming in that will require more of it. What you need to know. Plus: The eyes of the world are on Fort Worth for its annual Van Cliburn Piano Competition. The post Corpus Christi’s water future looks uncertain as Tesla builds nearby refinery appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A bill banning all products with THC is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Is this the end of the state’s hemp industry? Lawmakers are also revisiting efforts to reform or replace the STAAR test. An investigation finds that some people in Central Texas are stuck behind bars beyond the 90-day limit without being indicted – only to have their charges dropped. From Tejano to Texas country, the sounds of the Lone Star State are getting a new home at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Plus: We’ll go behind the scenes of the new podcast “Better Outside,” hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The post New institute aims to immortalize the sounds of Texas music appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

This Memorial Day, we’ll hear the story of Florentino Cantú Jr., a Laredoan who saw military service as a ticket to a better life for his parents and 10 siblings. Memorial Day is a day of reflection to be sure, but it is also the unofficial start of summer for many folks. We’ll be getting some tips on how Texans can make the most of it, from experiencing the great outdoors to keeping cool – plus some Texas summer songs that hit just right. And: Hurricane season starts June 1, and CenterPoint Energy says it’s ready with a new and improved outage tracker. But after failures during Hurricane Beryl and last year’s derecho, is that enough to restore customer trust? Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support our work by becoming a sustaining member at supportthispodcast.org The post After outages last year, CenterPoint promises a better tracker appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.